THE GLORIES OF FATHERHOOD

For many of us, Father's Day is a day to thank God for His many kindnesses towards our families and loved ones¹. Not only is fatherhood a blessing for fathers, but through the gift of inheritance, it is also a blessing for our sons and daughters². Those who are children of God also receive an inheritance - His glorious grace and mercy³. But because men are fallen, the inheritance we bequeath to our children might not be as kind⁴. Due to the organized attacks on fatherhood these days (by jealous demonic hosts in various societal spheres) fatherhood is quite the challenge.⁵. These minions who serve the enemy's pride often compound their error through sorrow and self-doubt. Our children are often victims of whispering liars who don't have their good in mind, whether in the classroom, schoolyard, or the nearby alley⁶. And like us, our children fall prey to servants of the enemy and fall by the wayside⁷. Father's Day is an ever-present reminder of our spiritual walk and the hardships this life has to offer. But sorrow need not be the hallmark of the day - even when God's perfect mercy has yet to occur in our broken families⁸.

I've often reflected on the purpose of fatherhood among men⁹. We enter this world knowing nothing, clothed with nothing - each outfitted with the wealth and station befitting our house. We didn't earn it, though; in the fullness of time, we may own it, for better or worse¹⁰. Furthermore, we often hear about the successes of our fathers and father's fathers on holidays when family get-togethers happen - but seldom do we learn of losses. Notably, these hidden losses are felt all the keener, as some of the more forbidding losses are spiritual and pass from father to son¹¹. Hidden, I say, but in truth, I mean unspoken¹². Beneath the scrutiny of men, blood curses of one sort or another eventually manifest for all to see and seem inexplicable and undeserved! Yet we suffer from these spiritual curses, whether acknowledged or not, and these bitter songs are not sung in the holiday halls of our family memory¹³.

So, what has the Bible taught us about all of this¹⁴? How can we survive and thrive on the storm-battered deck of our family's bark¹⁵? And why did God allow for inheritance in the first place, seeing how all men fail as a rule¹⁶? The answer is that men can only succeed through pure surrender to God¹⁷. His universe is the perfect accountant, and not a jot or a title is ever overlooked¹⁸. In the Bible, we learn that God's glory is the hidden treasure of His fatherhood to us and that the gift of spiritual inheritance is offered freely to all mankind, regardless of rank and station¹⁹. To receive this inheritance, we must acknowledge His holy kingship and mastery of our families' name through His one and only Son, whose sacrifice paid for all²⁰.

Unlike man, God is perfect and the Father of all men! Psalm 139 reminds us that God "created our inmost being, [He] knit us in our mother's womb"²¹. Indeed, God was directly, perfectly, and miraculously involved in our inceptions²². And His intimate knowledge of us did not end in the womb. He has been our companion ever since and witnesses our many errors - though we might forget this occasionally²³. He didn't abandon us in our trials but doubled down His investment! God sent His ONLY son as payment in full for all our sins²⁴. It wasn't a fair task to ask of Jesus, yet, Jesus gladly took up God's charge! Could we do this in service to our house²⁵? Did we, when the time was called? Importantly, it was a condition of familial inheritance that makes us joint heirs benefitting from Christ's perfect sacrifice²⁶. Had it not been for Jesus' payment for our many sins, we would not, could not ever call Heaven our home²⁷. Inheritance, therefore, has a purpose²⁸. And His Fathership for all men brings us together through His mercy, and being showered with His grace is more significant a treasure than any passed from mortal father to son²⁹. Being joint heirs and reborn sons of our Father-God more than makes up for our shortcomings³⁰. And this is such a beautiful thing of awe and wonder³¹. Thus, despite our private misgivings and family tempests (public and private sorts), our own fatherhood is also glorious! Seeing our sons and daughters succeed where we failed - achieve what we dared not dream, these are glories³². But even more so, where they discover God and His purpose, these fire embers glow with holy light - and this kindled fire comforts us as we sleep³³.

So, as I sit here and reflect on my own errors of the past with my children, Jesus whispers in my ear, 'Peace, I have this' and reminds me - that even my children are His - and He will call them home when they have suffered from their self-banishment enough³⁴. I am reminded God gave men free will³⁵. God-given 'free will' means they, like I before them, are given a license to make errors, as this was part of our bargain³⁶. I pray with all my heart that my children's trials - even the trials of all men's children - are less obstinate and less strident than my own³⁷! That they experience less loneliness, are less burdened, and are welcomed as His prodigal sons, just as I was when wakened to my errors³⁸! Please join me in repentance of our errors and contributions to their spiritual suffering, which may have burdened their paths, in agreement that the hidden errors of our father's fathers, which color and afflict their lives end quickly and finally³⁹. We thank You, Abba Father - for being THE ultimate example of a most perfect and loving Father, amen⁴⁰.

1. Stocks, W., Pech, S. S. de, Mary, Russell, Shaila, Moore, Q., Florida, Eleanor, & Gibson, L. (2022, June 21). 15 Father’s Day Bible verses: Scriptures for Dads. Ministry. https://ministry-to-children.com/bible-verses-for-fathers-day/

2. The King James Version Bible. (n.d.). https://thekingjamesversionbible.com/bible-verses-about-inheritance

3. What does inheritance mean? Bible definition and references. biblestudytools.com. (n.d.). https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/inheritance/

4. Cuppy, C. (2022, August 1). Fathers matter: The importance of a father. Focus on the Family. https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/fathers-matter-the-importance-of-a-father/

5. Demons. obo. (n.d.). https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195393361/obo-9780195393361-0013.xml

6. How you can know you’re a child of god. Desiring God. (2023, June 21). https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/how-you-can-know-youre-a-child-of-god

7. Mbantoh, D. (2021, December 2). Where does the Bible say to hold each other accountable?. BEST OF CHRISTIANITY. https://bestofchristianity.com/where-does-the-bible-say-to-hold-each-other-accountable/

8. 100 Bible verses about Families Broken. What Does the Bible Say About Families Broken? (n.d.). https://www.openbible.info/topics/families_broken

9. The significance of a father’s influence. Focus on the Family. (2022, September 20). https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-qa/the-significance-of-a-fathers-influence/

10. GotQuestions.org. (2011, November 17). What does the Bible say about parents leaving an inheritance for their children?. GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-inheritance.html

11. The top Bible verses about curses in scripture. biblestudytools.com. (n.d.-a). https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-curses/

12. Missler, C. (2008, June 1). Pressing on to maturity: Updated Hebrews study: – Chuck Missler. Koinonia House. https://www.khouse.org/articles/2008/784/

13. Husbands and fathers - part 2: Sermon: Derek Prince Ministries. Sermon | Derek Prince Ministries. (n.d.). https://www.derekprince.com/sermons/219

14. GotQuestions.org. (2010, March 29). What does the Bible say about family? | GotQuestions.org. GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-family.html

15. Laurie, G., & Harvest. (2020, February 8). 3 kinds of storms a believer will face. Harvest. https://harvest.org/resources/gregs-blog/post/3-kinds-of-storms-a-believer-will-face/

16. Do we have free will to choose Christ?. Desiring God. (2023a, June 21). https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/do-we-have-free-will-to-choose-christ

17. How to survive a storm - Baylor University. (n.d.). https://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php?id=146514

18. 14 bible verses about accountancy. 14 Bible verses about Accountancy. (n.d.). https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Accountancy

19. Burke, C. (n.d.). 14 References Regarding Spiritual Inheritance. Our spiritual inheritance. http://www.christianlibrary.org/authors/Charles_Burke/nt/p72.htm

20. Stanley, C. (2011, May 5). What can we learn from the sonship of jesus?. Christianity.com. https://www.christianity.com/jesus/following-jesus/discipleship/what-can-we-learn-from-the-sonship-of-jesus.html

21. Missler, N. (2002, March 1). Denying ourselves: The key: – Nancy Missler. Koinonia House. https://www.khouse.org/articles/2002/401/

22. GotQuestions.org. (2017, September 11). What does the Bible say about pregnancy? | GotQuestions.org. GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-pregnancy.html

23. aGodMan. (2015, September 7). The law is the testimony of god and the expression of god. enjoying Christ. https://agodman.com/the-law-is-the-testimony-of-god-the-expression-of-god-the-revelation-of-who-god-is/

24. Beecham, M. (n.d). Definition of payment in full. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/payment_in_full.asp

25. Kuehn, W. by L., Kuehn, L., & says:, S. C. (2021, October 6). Serving the lord as a family: Cornerstones for parents. Cornerstones for Parents | A Christian parenting resource. https://www.cornerstonesforparents.com/serving-god-family-1-chronicles

26. Joint-Heirs with Christ. Romans 8:17 joint-heirs with christ. (n.d.). https://biblehub.com/commentaries/hastings/romans/8-17.htm

27. What does the bible say about heaven? - JW.ORG. (n.d.-b). https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/awake-no1-2016-february/what-is-heaven-bible-say/

28. Burke, C. (n.d.). 14 References Regarding Spiritual Inheritance. What is the purpose of inheritance? http://www.christianlibrary.org/authors/Charles_Burke/nt/p72.htm

29. God loves through Human love: How grace breeds generosity. Desiring God. (2023b, June 21). https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/god-loves-through-human-love

30. Sanders, F., Fred Sanders teaches in the Torrey Honors College at Biola University. He has written and contributed to a number of books, Todd, O. T., DiPrima, J., Cooper, B., Harris, A., Evans, K. A., Laparra, A., Thune, B., Smith, C., Collin Hansen  • Melissa Kruger, Zylstra, S. E., Ray Ortlund  • Sam Allberry, Melissa Kruger  • Jasmine Holmes  • Jackie Hill Perry, Phelan, G., Jim Davis  • Michael Aitcheson  • David Robbins  • Meg Robbins, Guthrie, N., Kim, J., Medders, J. A., & Blair Linne  • Aixa de López  • Sharon Dickens  • Soojin Park. (2012, February 26). The danger of running a spiritual deficit. The Gospel Coalition. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-danger-of-running-a-spiritual-deficit/

31. Days of awe and wonder. The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. (n.d.). https://www.jpost.com/jewish-world/jewish-features/days-of-awe-and-wonder

32. Godwin, J. (2018). What is an example of glory in the Bible?. Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/example-glory.html

33. Fletcher, J. (2016). What does it mean to kindle a fire?. Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/kindle-fire.html

34. Yount, J. (2014). What does Jesus mean when He said, 'Peace, I leave with you'?. Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/peace-leave.html

35. Sideris, S. (2020). What is free will theology?. Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/free-will-theology.html

36. Peoples, D. (2017). What is the essence of the covenant God made with man?. Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/covenant-God-man.html

37. Holman Bible Publishers. (2011). Isaiah 41:10. Holman Christian Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

38. Doell, D. (2019). What does it mean to be a prodigal son?. Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/prodigal-son.html

39. Herber, K. (2017). What does it mean to repent of our ancestor's sins in the Bible?. Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/repent-ancestors.html

40. Holman Bible Publishers. (2011). Romans 8:15. Holman Christian Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.